From the perfect pair of skisto a do-it-all travel wardrobe, the right gear makes adventuringsafe, easy, and fun. But there’s a downside to traveling with all that nice stuff: it’s far more likely to attract unwanted attention and perhaps get stolen. Or lost.
Thankfully, there are solutions specifically designed to keep your gear secureand organizedwhen you’re away from it. Here are my favorites.
Pelican Air Case (From $168)
With a watertight O-ring, tough double-throw latches, and a valve that balances interior air pressure in the event of anelevation change, these lightweightpolymer may seem like overkill, but there’s no better option for keeping equipment safe. I use them to cartaroundvideo and photo gear while traveling to shoots, but they come in a range of sizesfor securing everything from small valuables to camping equipment. Throw on a padlock and strap themyour roofor simply toss them in your car and lock the doors.
LugLoc Luggage Locator ($80, plus $20 Annual Service Fee)
If the airline loses your bag or it disappears from your car or hotel room, you’ll be glad you bought a . It uses cell towers to track your bag and lets you monitor location with the . It also uses Bluetooth to help you locate your bag’s precise location once it’s near.
Aluminum Foil ($10)
Many bank cards use radio-frequency identification—the technology that allows you to pay for things simply by tapping your card against the reader at checkout. While there’s some concern that thieves could wirelessly capture your information using an RFID skimmer, . But if you’restill worried, don’t wastemoney ona dedicated wallet or sleeve. Wrappingyour card in aluminum foilis just as effective, and it costs a whole lot less. Works on passports, too, which use RFID chips to digitally store your personal information.
Ottolock Cinch Locks ($60–$85)
are meant for bikes, but their small size,light weight, and versatility makes them perfect for travel. They come in three sizes, they beatthe heck out of carrying around a bulky U-lock, andthey’re pretty damn tough to break. The flexible strap allows you to get creative with how you use it. Safeguard a rental bike in an unfamiliar city, secure a cooler in your truck bed, orprevent luggage from wandering off from the hostel.
PacSafe Travelsafe 12L GII Portable Safe (From $70)
is perfect for securing jewelry or electronics while you’re out exploring. Sizes rangefrom 3 to 25 liters, and the tough polyester outer fabric with integrated high-tensilestainless-steel mesh prevents cutting and pilfering. Just use the locking cable to secure it to a permanent fixture in your car or hotel room, and you’re good to go.
Signal App (Free)
If you’re concerned about from hackers while abroad, download . Signal helps secure your data and keep private conversations private by using high-levelend-to-end encryption. You can send photos, disappearing text messages, andaudio, video,and data files, andvideo-chat or make voice calls. Plus,it’s free and open-source, so there’s no excuse for not using it.